Doncaster Coronation Street star bids for Britain's Got Talent glory

Rachael Wooding of Harlington is hoping to win Britain's Got Talent.

A Doncaster actress and singer who has starred in Coronation Street will aim to impress Britain's Got Talent judges tonight.

Musical theatre star Rachael Wooding, 37, will be aiming to make it through to the live final of the hit ITV talent show when she takes part in tonight's live semi-final from 7.30pm.

Rachael, who comes from Harlington, is one of 45 acts looking to win the seal of approval from judges Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden as she looks to secure victory in the show and win a spot at the Royal Variety Performance.

Rachael is a seasoned West End performer.

Rachael landed her place in tonight's show after wowing judges with a pitch perfect rendition of With You from Ghost The Musical in earlier auditions.

The blonde-haired star is no stranger to fame, having appeared in TV soap Coronation Street and several West End musicals over the years.

However, she revealed on the show last month that she had taken a break from performing to have a child.

The mum-of-one appeared on Coronation Street as a beautician in 2008 and played another role as Izzy Armstrong's friend Mandy who enjoyed a steamy encounter with Kirk Sutherland on the cobbles.

Rachael pictured at the start of her career in 1999.

She has also starred in the West End in Queen musical We Will Rock You, playing Meat and Scaramouche.

She began her career in musicals in Germany, starring in hits including Cats and Starlight Express.

After West End success in Saturday Night Fever and Fame, she went on to play Amber in the original London cast of Hairspray the Musical before performing the title role in Evita the Musical on a UK tour.

She has also featured as Mary Delgado in the West End production of Jersey Boys.

Since early success in the late 90s, Rachael has gone on to appear on Coronation Street.

Her appearance comes after legendary Doncaster upside down piano player Colin "Fingers" Henry missed out on a place in the grand final.

The veteran showbiz performer, 68, from Barnby Dun, wowed judges on the hit ITV show last month after receiving four yes votes to progress in the competition.

But he was not picked to perform in the live semi finals.

And last Saturday comedian Council Joe, whose real name is Michael Mulligan, appeared on the show - but his repetoire of corny gags failed to win over the judges, with all four buzzing him off within seconds of him starting his routine.

Michael, 40, a community worker from Thorne, donned a flat cap, hi-viz jacket and strode onto the stage clutching a litter picker but his gags failed to impress Cowell and Dixon with Holden and Walliams following with no votes seconds later.